When the alarm reached him, Golthir was comfortably asleep on his pile of furs, but he rises immediately to his feet with a groan from his protesting joints. By the time the Elder's granddaughter's footfalls fade from earshot, he has his thick leather coat on over his first layer of robes. He begins methodically slotting stone plates into its stiff pockets, transforming it into a rigid piece of armor.

By the time he strides out into the hallway, the old dwarf is in his full regalia, white mitre atop his grey hair, a wooden holy symbol in his beard, and orange-and-white cotton robes draped over top of the armor. His belts, hung with hammers and arrows, interrupt the clean lines of his uniform.

Golthir seeks the Elder. As he walks, he hears fragments of rumors-- Uru'ah in flames, the gods at war in the sky, an army in the forest waiting to attack the temple. He believes none of it.

As he nears the gates, he draws a small book from his pocket and begins to read a prayer aloud in a deep, booming voice.

"As we gird ourselves for battle this night
We are sure in our knowledge of the sunrise;
As we sharpen our swords,
Our minds turn to Soa..."


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Book of War Prayers: This small, leather-bound collection of war prayers features pages of fine vellum. If you have a Charisma of 13 or higher, or at least 1 rank in Perform (oratory), you can read aloud prayers from the book before battle to hearten others for the trials to come. Reading prayers for this effect takes 10 minutes. You grant those who hear your prayers a +2 morale bonus on the next saving throw against fear they attempt, as long as that saving throw is made in the next 24 hours.